I’ve had a lot of used motorcycles. By far, I’ve surpassed the triple-digit threshold. I was able to achieve it by purchasing really beautiful used motorcycles at reasonable costs. After that, I may sell them again without suffering a loss.

I acknowledge that not everyone aspires to be a used-bike tycoon, making it slightly more challenging for those who actually spend reasonable sums of money on used motorcycles to understand how to avoid buying a dud. This handbook fills that need. Although it’s not complete, some of the information in this article could prevent you from getting a Junker.

Some folks are perplexed by how to separate the good used bikes from the bad. If you truly want to go green, keep in mind that buying a bike from a dealer is quite acceptable. They have a stake in keeping the bike in good condition! Let’s begin with the CliffsNotes as you could be leaving in 20 minutes to look at a bicycle. Here are your key takeaways before we go into further detail about each of these points:

1. There doesn’t seem to be any crash damage to the bike.
2. No fluids seem to be seeping from the bike.
3. The bike typically appears to have been maintained.

Let’s now delve further, shall we?

Make sure the VIN is correct

The beginning is here. If you’re peering over a hot bike, the remainder of this article is pointless. Verify the numbers physically to ensure that they have not been re-stamped. If you don’t know what “knocked-over” numbers appear like and you’re looking at bikes with a high theft record, like Harley-Davidsons, you might even want to bring images of factory-stamped numbers for comparison. Check that the title numbers match the headstock once you’ve estimated that. I’ve seen my fair share of titling mistakes and repairs. Title discrepancies can be profitable if you know how to get around your local motor vehicle bureaucracy, but for most individuals who aren’t in the flipping business, they are a pain.

Make sure the bike is cold before examining it

This advice is one that I fervently believe in and that many of our readers also agree with. I tell the seller to leave the bike cold before I get there, especially if it’s an used motorcycles, and I mean it. On a hot used Motorcycles, starting and running issues are quite simple to conceal. Verify that the pipes and jugs are cold by feeling them. You could be in for some difficulties if the seller can’t start the bike or if it makes a grinding noise during the first minute of operation.

Ensure that the bar ends, levers, and foot pegs are in good working order

I start by looking at these items. Their age needs to be in line with the used motorcycles. The bike has been down if they are damaged. Naturally, I check for rash, but levers can also reveal some information. Levers frequently “curl” as they contact the ground. The same frequently applies to “shorty” levers that a seller has reshaped and trimmed.

Aftermarket levers and pegs can also serve as a little crash indicator. If the vendor admits wrongdoing, he could be a kind man who had a tip over and tried his best to fix the used motorcycles.

Whatever equipment you locate, make sure there isn’t any more damage. Broken fins, cracked oil pans, and adjusted handlebars all raise the expense of getting a bike back in working order.

Take a look at how hard the bike was ridden

Please note that I do not believe that heavy riding or redlining a used motorcycles is harmful for it, but some people truly abuse their vehicles. I look over the tyres. Burnouts are indicated by tyres that are flat with longitudinal grooves. Examine the tyre edges on sports machines.

Verify the hero blobs as well. These little signs on the foot pegs alert the rider when they are leaning deeply that they are on the verge of damaging more expensive components.

Although I don’t believe it by itself disqualifies a used motorcycles from consideration, a vendor who withholds such information might not be honest about other drawbacks of the bike.

Check to see whether this Vehicle has ever been stolen.

Verify the ignition lock and fork lock. If you’ve already read the title, you must have seen the word “Salvage.” Vehicles used for theft recovery may and do wind up on the street. Although the lack of resale value doesn’t always equate to the bike being junk, you should be aware of it and adjust your offer accordingly.

Remove the seat from the motorcycle

You are entering specifically to inspect the wiring, particularly the components connected to the battery. If you see OEM connections, that’s fantastic if nothing seems off. But before you enter the interior, your spider sense ought to start tingling if you can see a GPS, two power cords, and fog lights dangling off the bike. Once inside, search for electrical tape, vampire connections, or an abundance of single-colored wiring. Recognize that the ensuing electrical disaster may be expensive and challenging to restore.

The general condition of the bike should be assessed

Typically, I couldn’ care less about a motorcycle’s mileage. The bike’s history is not entirely revealed by the odometer. It is a Very Good Thing if an owner offers you a file of receipts. Rarely do people take a bicycle component that they are meticulous about and neglect another. Usually, people either take great care of the bike or don’t.

How the Weather Affects Auto Transport

Ride it – after you’ve checked it out beforehand

This advice has two main components. First of all, there is absolutely no excuse for why a test ride cannot take place. The vendor has nothing to lose but a sale if you’re ready to give him the entire price of the used motorcycles in cash. When dealing with those who were really wary, I added my driver’s license to the pile of cash. Checking the bike for safety issues is the second piece of advice in this situation, especially if it hasn’t been used in a while. Being in the middle of third gear and learning that the brakes need to be bled is awful.